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"It is a completely life-changing experience that opens your eyes not only to issues in Northwest Montana, but around the country as well... Combining both studying the environment and understanding local opinions really makes this semester an incredible experience."
- Emily Gamm,
Iowa State University
"Landscape and Livelihood takes resource conservation concepts and grounds them literally. I learned more in 2 months in the Swan Vally than
in 2 years in classrooms."
- Krista Kaarre, University of Montana
"Landscape and Livelihood took all of the black and white environmental studies concepts that I've previously learned in classrooms and from books and made them real and in color!"
- Jeanell Innerarity,
New College of Florida
"Being immersed in real world learning situations has been the most amazing, educational and satisfying experience of my life... I learned how to be an active, engaged citizen and community member and to always think critically,
no matter what the concept may be. This has changed the rest of my life..."
- Will Bennington, University of Vermont
"Be prepared to learn more about one place you ever thought possible. You will leave wondering how you ever lived in a place without exploring the
biological and human community... it can enrich all aspects of your present
life and wherever you go from here."
- Tyler Douglas Lavenburg, Warren Wilson College
Landscape and Livelihood
Field Program: August 27 - October 25, 2012*
15 University of Montana credits
Program Overview
Northwest Connections’ Field Semester immerses a small community of learners in an intensive two-month program focusing on ecology and community-based conservation. Students learn experientially as they study the landscape of the Swan Valley and the human community it supports. NwC’s instructional philosophy emphasizes participation in conservation projects as a means of developing field skills. Students also work closely with local citizens and land managers in order to understand the relationship of environmental issues to rural communities.
Landscape and Livelihood’s residential program operates seven days per week, creating time for classroom lecture, field work, reading, reflective writing, independent study and involvement in community activities. Fifteen semester credits are earned in Forestry and Conservation, Environmental Studies, Recreation Management and Geography through a cooperative agreement with the University of Montana. Base camp for the semester is a historic homestead on the Swan River. From there, students travel throughout the Swan, Blackfoot and Flathead Valleys as well as the Swan and Mission Mountains.
Several brief homestays with local host families, a unique component of our program, connect students more intimately with our local communities and help put a human face on resource management issues. In addition to homestays, students will interact with local residents while participating in the annual Swan Valley Bird Count, community firewood day, helping out a ranching family in the Blackfoot Valley, and learning how rural residents make a living building rustic furniture and making medicinal salves. Our students truly become a part of the Swan Valley community during their two-month residence at the Beck homestead.
We admit 10-12 highly motivated applicants who are passionate about conservation and willing to commit to an intensive, experiential program.
*There will be some pre and post assignments in addition to the program dates.
Landscape and Livelihood In The News
Home Sweet Homestays
by ALI PONS, Seeley-Swan Pathfinder, August 5, 2010 (PDF)
Students Get Opportunity to "Dig-Into" the Valley
by CORI STANEK for the Seeley-Swan Pathfinder, October 15, 2009 (PDF)
Back to life: Award-winning Greenough taxidermist serves clients from all over
by KEILA SZPALLER of the Missoulian, October 5, 2009 (PDF)
Homestay News, August 2009 (PDF)
Visit our 'Barn Blog' for L&L highlights!
Visiting Students Learn Locally, Education Enriched in the Swan
by CAROLINE JENKINS of the Seeley-Swan Pathfinder, November 27, 2008 (PDF)
Montana transforms into classroom for some Whitties
by KARA MCKAY of the Whitman College Pioneer, February 14, 2008 (PDF)
Collaboration in Ovando Goes Electric
by BRICE CROZIER for the Seeley-Swan Pathfinder, October 5, 2006 (PDF)
Mills say finding niche key to survival
by MICHAEL JAMISON, Missoulian, October 4, 2005
UM students learn realities of landscapes, livelihoods
by MICHAEL JAMISON, Missoulian, October 4, 2005
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